Old Fort -- April 14, 2026: A local man is behind bars following a series of events that began with a reported vehicle theft and ended with additional felony charges, according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office, during his processing at the McDowell County Detention Center.
Daniel Ted Stewart, 39, of Old Fort, was apprehended on April 7 after deputies with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance at a residence in the Old Fort area.
The Initial Incident
Upon arriving at the scene, Deputy Caleb Baliles spoke with a victim who stated that Stewart had entered the property and fled in her motor vehicle.
Following a brief search, deputies—with assistance from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission—located Stewart on Roby Conley Road while he was allegedly still operating the victim's vehicle. A subsequent search of Stewart and the vehicle revealed:
Suboxone (possessed without a prescription)
Marijuana
Drug paraphernalia
Escalation During Booking
Stewart was initially taken into custody and transported to the McDowell County Detention Center, where he was issued a $20,000 secured bond for the following charges, according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office: Felony Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
Misdemeanor Simple Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance
Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana
Misdemeanor Second-Degree Trespassing
However, the legal situation intensified during the booking process. Detention officers discovered additional narcotics on Stewart’s person, leading to more severe charges, including: Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance on Jail Premises, according to court records.
Felony Possession of Methamphetamine
Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance on Jail Premises
Following the discovery of the additional narcotics, Stewart’s bond was increased to $50,000, according to court records.
Suspect is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law